Oct.7, 1881, saw the first meeting of ‘the assembly of representative ryots and merchants from all taluks of the province of Mysore’, held at Jaganmohan Palace, with Dewan C V Rangacharlu in the chair. 144 members participated. The idea of a deliberative assembly was mooted by the last chief commissioner Sir James Gordon, in a minute dated Feb.10, 1879. He proposed the assembly may include eminent retired officials, reputed local families, and interest groups.

1887: Rules of the assembly promulgated. Property holdings and a university degree were made the criteria for assembly membership

1891: The assembly strength increased to 351. Government servants kept out because the object was to elicit non-official public opinion.

1894: More changes, notably in voting rights and membership qualification, were introduced.

June 22, 1907: Legislative council set up.

1914: The deliberative assembly rechristened ‘the representatives assembly of Mysore.

(Source: Sharath S Srivatsa, ‘The Hindu’ – Nov.12, 2005)

Suggested read on people power theme: MGP could do better

                                                              Bhamy (no-nonsense) Shenoy